WBL8030 Workplace-based Project (3 units)

Contents

• Staffing
• Rationale
• Synopsis
• Objectives
• Topics
• Reference materials
• Student workload
• Assessment details
• Important assessment information
• Assessment notes
• Other requirements
• Production date
• PDF version

STAFFING

RATIONALE

Workplace Based Learning programs are designed to enable a student to draw upon work and life experiences in developing new, higher-level knowledge that is relevant to the workplace. This core course may be taken at any time after it has been outlined in an approved WBL8000 learning profile. The workplace-based project will look at some agreed feature of the student's usual work. The most likely form of a project will analyse what actually occurs and will look at possible improvements that could take place. It is the student learning that takes place that will be evaluated. The student's experience and expertise within the workplace will provide insights into the investigation that, when supported by high level learning and appropriate literature, will produce advanced knowledge relating to professional practice.

SYNOPSIS

The student will work and study at the same time, by looking at some agreed feature of the student's usual work. With the help and support of an adviser, the student will look at appropriate literature, and may additionally study other courses, to gain a higher level of understanding, while investigating processes or procedures in the workplace, with the aim of looking at possible improvements that could be of benefit to the work-place. The insights that the student will have as a result of experience and expertise will provide a much sharper, and more realistic focus than would otherwise be possible. The student may, where necessary, develop appropriate research instruments / methodology to collect appropriate data which will subsequently be analysed. Alternatively, the student may develop something that is completely new, perhaps as a product or process. It is the student learning that has taken place that will be evaluated when the student writes a report on the project, which may also summarise new, high-level knowledge relating to professional practice. The course will be a pass/fail course. It is expected that the student's work will be of the highest professional standard.

OBJECTIVES

Upon the successful completion of this course students will be able to make a suitable presentation to members of the professional community demonstrating the high level professional learning that has taken place within the project by outlining:

1. project / research objectives
2. literature reviews
3. appropriate methodology for the project
4. main features of the project
5. main findings / results / implications of the project
6. new knowledge that may be of benefit to the workplace

TOPICS

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

The potential areas of specialisation within post graduate professional studies workplace-based learning programs are almost without limit. Research undertaken within workplace-based projects will be under the general guidance of a USQ adviser. Students should consult with advisers for advice on references and existing materials relative to the area of research in progress.

Anderson, T & Kanuka, H 2003, e-Research: methods, strategies and issues, Allyn & Bacon, Boston MA.

Johnson, B & Christensen. L 2004, Educational research: quantitative, qualitative and mixed approaches, 2nd edn, Allyn & Bacon, Boston.

LeCompte, MD & Goetz, JP 1982, Problems of reliability and validity in ethnographic research, Review of Educational Research, Washington, Vol 52, no.1, pp31-60.

Marshall, C & Rossman, GB 1999, Designing qualitative research, 3rd edn, Sage, Thousand Oaks.

Pedhazur, EL & Pedhazur Schmelkin, L 1991, Measurement, design and analysis, Lawrence Erlbaum, Hillsdale.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   It is the students' responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, laboratories, and practical work) scheduled for them. For this course tutorials, that may take a variety of formats, will be held at negotiated times throughout the semester.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   N/A
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   (a) Students who do not submit the final assessment items by the Due Date will normally be awarded a fail grade. (b) Extension of a deadline may be granted by the course examiner. Application for such an extension must be made in writing to the course examiner prior to the Due Date and endorsed by the student's USQ adviser.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   As P is the only passing grade available for this course, all students who are qualified for a passing grade under the requirements in 4 above, will be given a grade of P. Other students will be given either a Fail grade or an Incomplete grade
6. Examination information:
   There is no timed examination in this course.
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   Not applicable.
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, and 5.6. Assessment for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the printed version of the current USQ Handbook.

ASSESSMENT NOTES

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

1. Students will require access to e-mail and internet access to USQConnect for this course.

This version produced 27 May 2008.